Week 14: 21 Weeks of Prayer & Fasting
WEEK 14
A Call to Declaration - Jesus the Eternal Intercessor
"But this man (Jesus), because he continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them." -Hebrews 7:24-25
Jesus' priesthood is perfect! Being both a sin offering for the sins of mankind and our eternal high priest. When He died and rose again, He forever secured our salvation! And because of this, we are made righteous by his blood! He is also the Eternal Intercessor! He Ever lives to make intercession for us! As our Savior and Eternal Intercessor, He now invites us to partner with Him by taking on the priestly ministry of intercession for others! We do this by standing in the gap for our cities, state and nation. Love for Jesus and love for our fellow man must burn in our hearts to compel us to action! it must be like fire shut up in our bones that keeps us spiritually awake and alive to pray for the need of others!
"And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none..." -Ezekiel 22:30
Jesus prayed, in the prayer for His disciples: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." Jn 17:20-21.
As we join with the Eternal Intercessor in prayer, let us pray that God will use each one of us to touch the needs of those around us. Especially, that God's people will recognize their place in changing the culture around us by reaching across denominational, racial and praying for one another. You and I, along with the Eternal Intercessor become the answer to a world that desperately needs us!
RESPOND
The call to intercession demands a response. Everyone should get involved in becoming part of the answer: "Call a sacred assembly... Gather the people... Assemble the elders... Gather the children... Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, "Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, 'Where is their God?'" Joel 2:16-17
With a grateful heart, we must respond to God's loving and merciful patience for us by humbling ourselves, praying, seeking His face and turning from our wicked ways. May we know that "history truly belongs to the intercessors." May we respond, knowing that nations are changed through prayers and intercession of His people! May our respond both individually and corporately be...."Lord, teach us to pray."
REPENT
May the Father's kindness lead us to repentance. Let us repent from the sin of apathy and silence, while the enemy rages on. Let us repent of being lukewarm, escaping the horrors of current events by turning our eyes from it and not engaging in spiritual warfare. Let us repent of prayer-less-ness, and for not fanning into flame our passion for Jesus and for others! Let us repent of not seeking the Father's heart for Chester, the State of South Carolina and our nation. And, may we bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
PRAY
"Jesus, we repent of our apathy and indifference. Please forgive us for our lack of concern for others, and for not standing on our portion of the wall in intercession that You have given us to protect. Our city, state, and nation is in desperate need, and we ask for your grace to resist the temptation to ignore it or feel indifferent about it. Help us to simplify our lives and make room for what is truly important - for what is truly on Your heart for us. Help us to trust you fully, having prayed and done all we can do. May the motto of our State be real in our lives: In God We Trust! We declare that the motto over the city of Chester will become a living reality over every individual life! Let us trust You again, wholeheartedly! May the Church in Chester and across America truly be the Praying Church, standing in the gap, knowing You and making Your Name known! Jesus-You are the Eternal Intercessor-make us be to like You-an intercessor. In Jesus' name, amen!
WORSHIP
Worship can be defined as "excessive admiration for someone." This describes perfectly how I feel about you, Jesus! You are so worthy of praise, and so worthy of getting to know! I want to know your heart! I want to become the intercessor you are. You are my Great Advocate, the Alpha and Omega, the Ancient of Days, the Angel of the Lord, the Anointed One, the Beginning and the End, the Bread of Life, Counselor, Dayspring, King of kings, Great High Priest, Eternal Heir to ALL things, Immanuel, Judge, Forerunner, the Image of God, fully God and fully man, Prince of Peace, Prophet, Great Physician, Passover Lamb, Overseer of our Soul, The Only Begotten Son of God, Morning Star, The Messiah, and the list goes on forever!!! My I never stop praying Your Name! Come, Lord Jesus, come!